A year ago this week, bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs passed away at the age of 88.

Work continues on a regional history museum in uptown Shelby that will bear his name.

The Scruggs name has already attracted widespread attention to the museum, for which plans were first announced by Destination Cleveland County in 2007.

The opening date was originally set for 2011 -- but that date has been postponed multiple times as DCC secures funding for the museum and naming rights for its artifacts.

Now, DCC board chairwoman Brownie Plaster says the Scruggs Center will open by the end of 2013.

But once the ribbon is cut, the celebration doesn’t end there. Plaster said the grand opening events could last a whole year.

“The grand opening will be multi-layered and will go on for several months,” she said.

Musical performances, programs and special guests will be part of the celebration for the man who influenced celebrities such as Sting, Alison Krauss and Steve Martin. Plaster has a list of celebrities she has been contacting for the grand opening, but she would not release any specific names.

Widespread interest

People from all over the country have also been contacting Plaster, DCC and other local officials about the opening of the center.

“One day we had a man from Boulder, Colo., who was asking where the Earl Scruggs museum was,” Plaster said. “When we told him it wasn’t opened yet, he said he would come back when it was open. We have people from 20 or 30 countries that are all interested in Earl Scruggs and are eager for the center to open."

The concept of the center was created in 2006.

In 2007, DCC researched how to run a successful museum and has been fundraising ever since.

The center won’t just discuss Earl Scruggs and his influence but also topics related to Cleveland County, such as cotton mills and integration, Plaster said.

Though few have seen the renovations of the old Shelby Courthouse, travel writers and musicians such as Travis Tritt have toured the building.

The total cost of the project has been $6 million, but the economic impact is expected to more than make up for that, according to Jackie Sibley, Cleveland County travel-tourism director. A bus tour visiting the Scruggs Center could bring a minimum of $3,000 into the county, and at least 12 bus tours a year are expected, Sibley said.

While researching the museum, DCC opened the Don Gibson Theatre to help boost uptown and local spending.

“The Don Gibson has brought economic vitality and vibrancy to uptown,” Plaster said. “On nights of shows, downtown restaurants thank the Don Gibson for the business they are brought.”

'He would be proud of this'

The day after Earl Scruggs passed away in March 2012, the Earl Scruggs Center Facebook Page was launched.

Scruggs’s death gave the community and fans a deeper understanding of why he was important to the area, said Emily Epley, executive director of the Scruggs Center.

“His death has built awareness with other people about our project,” Epley said. “It’s shone a new light on Earl’s value to music. We are hearing individual stories and memories across the world. It has shown a new value to this man and it’s an honor that he came from a place where we live.”

Along with helping raise money for the center, J.T. Scruggs, Earl's nephew and a DCC representative, has been working with the family on the project.

“The center is going to be good quality, like the Don Gibson Theatre has honored the late Don Gibson,” J.T. Scruggs said. “People will leave with a good understanding of Earl and our area.

“The family has been very cooperative and I think everyone is happy with the project,” he said. “My main regret is that we weren’t able to open before he passed away. He would be proud of this.”

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com. Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.

Timeline of Earl Scruggs Center

* The Earl Scruggs Center has drawn national and international interest, including groups planning bus tours to Cleveland County to visit the history center, according to county tourism officials.

* Some visitors for the American Legion World Series in August 2012 asked about the opening of the center.

* A few people have gained a sneak peek inside, but media outlets, including The Star, have been denied access until all interior development is complete.

Here’s a look back at some key dates in the development of the center: